Footwear with upper attachment mechanism

ABSTRACT

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a footwear including a sole and at least one upper. The sole includes: a sole body; and at least one first mating connector located on the sole body. The at least one upper includes: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body. Each of the at least one first mating connector of the upper is configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/607,127, filed on Dec. 18, 2017, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/664,309, filed on Sep. 24, 2018, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to footwear with an attachment mechanism of a footwear upper.

BACKGROUND

Footwear in the nature of a slide or a slide sandal typically may have an outsole and an upper that has a strap or series of straps that cross the toes and lower half of the foot to hold the footwear in place. These straps may be typically affixed to the lateral sides of the outsole via an adhesive, or using a similarly permanent method.

This means that when a user purchases footwear such as slides, they do so knowing that the upper and outsole are bonded together permanently and inextricably. However, many users may wish to wear more than one style or design of slides. Users may need to purchase multiple types of footwear (i.e., multiple pairs of both outsoles and uppers).

Additionally, permanent bonding processes may reduce the flexibility of footwear sellers by coupling outsole inventory to upper inventory.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides footwear including a sole and at least one upper. The sole includes: a sole body; and at least one first mating connector located on the sole body. The at least one upper includes: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body. Each of the at least one first mating connector of the upper is configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a kit including at least one sole, a plurality of first uppers, and a plurality of second uppers. The at least one sole includes: a sole body; and at least one first mating connector located on the sole body. Each of the plurality of first uppers includes: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body. Each of the at least one first mating connector of the first upper body is configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole. Each of the plurality of second uppers includes: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body. Each of the at least one first mating connector of the first upper body is configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole. Each of the first uppers preferably differs from each of the second uppers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate perspective views of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a sole of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a sole of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an upper of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of an upper of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a sole (partially disassembled) of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a sole of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional view of a sole of a footwear according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view taken from the rear of one embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view taken from the front of one embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view taken from the rear of one embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view taken from the front of one embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view taken from the rear of one embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view taken from the front of one embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a kit according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present disclosure is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the disclosure are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the disclosure being defined by the claims appended hereto.

This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the disclosure as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the disclosure presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the disclosure. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

It is important to note that the embodiments disclosed are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed disclosures. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate perspective views of a footwear according to one embodiment. The footwear in FIGS. 1-2 corresponds to a footwear in FIGS. 10-11.

The footwear 100 shown in FIGS. 1-2 may be one example of a footwear according to one embodiment. Examples of a footwear may include, but not limited to, slides, slide sandals, shoes, boots, and other types of footwear. The footwear 100 may include a sole 200 and at least one upper 300. The upper 300 may be detachably attached to the sole 200. In the illustrated example in FIG. 1, one end of the upper 300 may be attached to one side of the sole 200 and the opposite end of the upper 300 may be attached to the opposite side of the sole 200.

In one example, the sole 200 may include a sole body 210, at least one first mating connector 230, and at least one second mating connector 240.

The sole body 210 may be made of polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, combination thereof, or other type of material. The sole body 210 may include a first side 211 and a second side 212 that face opposite sides to each other in a lateral direction X1 (as shown in FIG. 1) of the sole body 210. In the illustrated example in FIGS. 3-4, the sole body 210 may be provided with a first recess 215 at the first side 211 of the sole body 210, and a second recess 216 at the second side 212 of the sole body 210. The recess 215 may accommodate at least a part of the upper 300, for example, such that the upper 300 is substantially flush with the first side 211 of the sole body 210 when the upper 300 is attached to the sole 200. The first recess 215 of the sole body 210 may include a recess wall 2151 facing to one side in the lateral direction X1 of the sole body 210. The second recess 216 may include a recess wall 2161 facing to the other side in the lateral direction X1 of the sole body 210. The sole body 210 shown in the figures (e.g., FIGS. 3-4) that has recesses 215 and 216 is one example of a sole body, it being understood that the sole body 210 does not have to include the recess 215 or 216, or there could be other recess configurations other than as shown in the figures.

The at least one first mating connector 230 may be located anywhere on the sole body 210. For example, in FIG. 2, the at least one first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 may be located at the first side 211 of the sole body 210. At least a part of each first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 may be located within the first recess 215 of the sole body 210. The at least one first mating connector 230 may be configured to be detachably attached to the upper 300. In one embodiment, the at least one first mating connector 230 may be one mating connector, and in another embodiment the at least one first mating connector 230 may be two or more mating connectors. In the example of FIG. 2, three first mating connectors 230 are provided in the sole 200. The first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200 may be arranged along a front and back direction Y1 of the sole 200. The first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200 may be different from the sole body 210, and may be fixed to the sole body 210. In another embodiment, the first mating connectors 230 may be integrally formed with the sole body 210 (e.g., in one embodiment the first mating connectors 230 and the sole body 210 may be formed with the same mold(s) at the same time and be made of the same material).

The at least one second mating connector 240 may be located anywhere on the sole body 210. For example, in FIG. 2, the at least one second mating connector 240 of the sole 200 may be located at the second side 212 of the sole body 210. A part of each second mating connector 240 of the sole 200 may be located within the second recess 216 of the sole body 210. The at least one second mating connector 240 may be configured to be detachably attached to the upper 300. In one embodiment, the at least one second mating connectors 240 may be one mating connector, and in another embodiment the at least one second mating connectors 240 may be two or more mating connectors. In one example in FIG. 2, three second mating connectors 240 are provided in the sole 200. The second mating connectors 240 of the sole 200 may be arranged along the front and back direction Y1 of the sole 200. The second mating connectors 240 of the sole 200 may be different from the sole body 210, and may be fixed to the sole body 210. In another embodiment, the second mating connectors 240 may be integrally formed with the sole body 210 (e.g., in one embodiment the second mating connectors 240 and the sole body 210 may be formed with the same mold(s) at the same time and be made of the same material).

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, one upper 300 may be provided in the footwear 100. As discussed above, the upper 300 may be configured to be detachably attached to the sole 200. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 5-6, the upper 300 may include an upper body 310, at least one first mating connector 330, and at least one second mating connector 340 (see FIGS. 5-6).

The upper body 310 may be made of cloth, polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, combination thereof, or other type of material. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the upper body 310 may include a first end 311 and a second end 312 that is spaced apart from the first end 311 in a lateral direction X2 of the upper body 310. In the illustrated example, the upper body 310 may include a strap that may be flexible.

In view of FIGS. 5-6, the at least one first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 may be located on the upper body 310. In one example, the at least one first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 may be located at the first end 311 of the upper body 310. It may be preferable for optimal fit that the at least one first mating connector 330 are located as close as possible to a corner of the upper body 310. The at least one first mating connector 330 may be configured to be detachably attached to the at least one first mating connector 230 of the sole 200. In one embodiment, the at least one first mating connector 330 may be one connector and, in another embodiment, the at least one first mating connector 330 may be two or more connectors. In the illustrated example in FIGS. 5-6, three first mating connectors 330 are provided in the upper 300. The first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300 may be arranged along a front and back direction Y2 of the upper 300. The first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300 may be different from the upper body 310, and may be fixed to the upper body 310. In another embodiment, the first mating connector 330 may be integrally formed with the upper body 310.

In one embodiment, each of the first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300 may include a snap connector that is configured to be detachably attached to a corresponding snap connector of one of the at least one first mating connector 230 of the sole 200. The snap connectors may include a snap stud and a snap socket that can be detachably attached to the snap stud. For example, when the snap connector of the first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 is a snap socket, the corresponding snap connector of the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 may be a snap stud that can be detachably attached to the snap socket. In contrast, when the snap connector of the first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 is a snap stud, the corresponding snap connector of the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 may be a snap socket that can be detachably attached to the snap stud. Users may attach the upper 300 to the sole 200 by pushing each snap socket/stud combination into place, and detach the upper 300 from the sole 200 by pulling the snap socket and stud apart. Alternatively, other types of mating connectors may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure including, but not limited to, buttons, zippers, threaded connectors, non-threaded connectors of any style or configuration, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. Furthermore, while the upper 300 includes mating connectors on both sides of the upper, it will be understood that the upper may only include mating connectors on one side, wherein the other side is attached to the sole. Other mating configurations are possible.

Among the first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200, a type of the snap connector of one or more of the first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200, and a type of the snap connector of the other one(s) of the first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200 may be different from each other. Similarly, among the first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300, a type of the snap connector of one or more of the first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300, and a type of the snap connector of the other one(s) of the first mating connectors 330 of the upper 300 may be different from each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the sole 200 may include at least one fixing structure 250 that may fix the first mating connector 230 (and the second mating connector 240) to the sole body 210. The fixing structure 250 may include at least one of fasteners (e.g., a screw, a nail, a bolt, and a pin), adhesives, and other types of fixing structures. In one example where the first mating connector 230 includes a snap stud, such a snap stud may include a hole through which a screw is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 7, another example of the fixing structure 250 may include an anchor mechanism, for example, around which the sole body 210 is molded. The anchor mechanism could take different types of shapes, structures or configurations in addition to configurations described herein. The anchor mechanism may be any configuration that would be difficult to extract or pull out of the sole body 210. In one non-limiting example, the anchor mechanism and the mating connector may be specialized anchor/mating connector hardware that is formed as one continuous, custom made piece. A non-limiting example of the anchor mechanism may include an anchor 251 located inside the sole body 210 and an anchor connector 252 extending from the first mating connector 230 (e.g., a snap stud) of the sole 200 toward to the anchor 251. The anchor connector 252 may be, but is not limited to, a rod (e.g., threaded rod) or other type of connector. The anchor connector 252 may be directly connected to the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 and to the anchor 251. The anchor 251 (and the anchor connector 252) may be held in place during forming process (e.g., molding process) of the sole body 210. The sole body 210 may form around the anchor 251, making it more difficult or impossible to pull out the first mating connector 230 (e.g., a snap stud) without ripping out a lot of material of the sole body 210. As shown in FIG. 7, the sole body 210 may be provided with an additional recess 218 that is recessed from the recess wall 2151 of the first recess 215. At least a part of the first mating connector 230 (e.g., a snap stud) of the sole 200 may be located within the additional recess 218 of the sole body 210. Other anchor and anchor connector configurations are contemplated.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9, another example of the fixing structure 250 may include a plate 255 fixed to the sole body 210, for example, by screws and/or adhesives (note that the sole 200 in FIGS. 8-9 is for right foot, while the sole 200 in FIGS. 1-2 is for left foot). The plate 255 may be fixed to the first side 211 of the sole body 210. The plate 255 may be made of polyurethane, cork, rubber, plastic, combination thereof, or other types of material or combinations of material. In one example, the plate 255 and the mating connectors 230 may be formed as one continuous custom made piece, for example, that may be made of plastic, metal, or other types of material or combinations of material. In one example, the plate 255 may be provided with holes 256. The number of holes 256 may correspond to the number of the first mating connectors 230 (e.g., snap studs) of the sole 200. In the illustrated example, each first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 may include a first portion 231 and a second portion 232. The first portion 231 may be a base of a snap stud, and may be located between the sole body 210 and the plate 255. The second portion 232 may be a projection of a snap stud, and may extend from the first portion 231 through the hole 256 of the plate 255 to an outside of the sole 200. This structure may be advantageous in that it allows for usage for styles of the first mating connectors 230 (e.g., snap studs) that do not have a hole in the center of each first mating connector 230 (e.g., snap stud), since the first mating connectors 230 may be held to the sole body 210 by the plate 255 without being directly screwed through the first mating connector 230.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, spacings 281 and 282 between adjacent two of the plurality of the first mating connectors 230 of the sole 200 may match spacings 381 and 382 between adjacent two of the plurality of the first mating connectors 330 of the single upper 300, respectively. The spacings 281, 282, 381, and 382 may vary according to desired structures of the footwear 100.

The relationship between the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 and the first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 with respect to snap connectors discussed above may be applicable similarly to relationship between the second mating connector 240 of the sole 200 and the second mating connector 340 of the upper 300. Therefore, the relationship between the second mating connector 240 of the sole 200 and the second mating connector 340 of the upper 300 with respect to snap connectors is not explained here.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the upper 300 may be detached from the sole 200 by the first mating connector 330 of the upper 300 being detached from the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200. Optionally, the upper 300 may be detached from the sole 200 by the second mating connector 340 of the upper 300 being detached from the first mating connector 240 of the sole 200. This may provide new types of footwear. For example, the present embodiments may allow the upper to be attached to the sole 200 in a temporary, reusable (re-attachable), and/or swappable manner.

FIGS. 12-13 illustrate another example of a footwear according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 12-13, the footwear may include a plurality of uppers 300 a. In the illustrated example, the number of uppers 300 a is two, but the number of upper 300 in a footwear may be a number greater than two. Other numbers are possible. The upper bodies 310 a of the uppers 300 a may respectively include a plurality of straps that are each detachably attached to the sole 200. In the illustrated example, the uppers 300 a each may include one first mating connector 330 a that is detachably attached to the first mating connector 230 of the sole 200 at the first end 311 a, and one second mating connector 340 a that is detachably attached to the second mating connector 240 of the sole 200 at the second end 312 a. In the illustrated example, two of the straps of the upper 300 a may cross each other in plan view. Optionally, one or more covers 290 may be provided to cover the connector 230 and 240 that are not attached to the connector 330 or 340 of the upper 300 a to hide the unused connectors of the sole 200. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, which illustrate another example of a footwear according to one embodiment, two of the straps of the upper 300 b may not cross each other in plan view.

FIG. 16 illustrates one example of a kit according to one embodiment.

The kit in FIG. 16 may include at least one sole 200 e, a plurality of first uppers 300 e, and a plurality of second uppers 300 f The sole 200 e in FIG. 16 may be the same as the sole 200 as discussed referring to FIGS. 1-9. Each first upper 300 e may be the same as the upper 300 as discussed referring to FIGS. 1-9, or each upper may be different as desired by the user. In addition, each first upper 300 f may be the same as the upper 300 a as discussed referring to FIGS. 12-13 or the upper 300 b as discussed referring to FIGS. 14-15. In one embodiment, each of the first uppers 300 e may differ from each of the second uppers 300 f. In particular, each of the first uppers 300 e may differ in shape, thickness, and/or attachment configuration from each of the second uppers 300 f.

While the present disclosure has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the disclosure.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A footwear comprising: a sole comprising: a sole body; and at least one first mating connector located on the sole body; and at least one upper comprising: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body, each of the at least one first mating connector of the upper being configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole.
 2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the at least one first mating connector of the sole includes a plurality of first mating connectors of the sole that are spaced apart from each other.
 3. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the first mating connectors of the sole are arranged along the sole.
 4. The footwear of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one first mating connector of the upper includes a snap connector, and each of the at least one first mating connector of the sole further comprises a snap connector that is configured to be detachably attached to the corresponding snap connector of the upper.
 5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole body is provided with a first recess at a side of the sole body, and at least a part of each of the at least one first mating connector of the sole is located within the first recess of the sole body, such that the at least one upper is substantially flush with the first side of the sole when each of the at least one first mating connector of the upper is attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole.
 6. The footwear of claim 5, further comprising a fixing structure that fixes one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole to the sole body.
 7. The footwear of claim 6, wherein the fixing structure includes: an anchor located inside the sole body; and an anchor connector that extends from the one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole toward to the anchor, the anchor connector being directly connected to the one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole and to the anchor.
 8. The footwear of claim 6, wherein the fixing structure includes a plate fixed to the sole body and provided with a hole, and one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole includes: a first portion located between the sole body and the plate; and a second portion extending from the first portion through the hole of the plate to an outside of the sole.
 9. The footwear of claim 8, wherein the first recess of the sole body includes a recess wall facing in a lateral direction of the sole body, the sole body is provided with an additional recess that is recessed from the recess wall of the first recess, and a part of one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole is located within the additional recess of the sole body.
 10. The footwear of claim 2, wherein the at least one first mating connector of the upper includes a plurality of first mating connectors of the upper that are spaced apart from each other.
 11. The footwear of claim 10, wherein the first mating connectors of the upper are arranged in a front-back direction of the upper, and the first mating connectors of the sole are arranged in a front-back direction of the sole, and a spacing between adjacent two of the plurality of the first mating connectors of the sole matches a spacing between adjacent two of the plurality of the first mating connectors of the single upper.
 12. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole body includes a first side and a second side that face opposite sides to each other in a lateral direction of the sole body, the at least one first mating connector of the sole is located at the first side of the sole body, the sole includes at least one second mating connector located at the second side of the sole body, the upper body includes a first end and a second end that is spaced apart from the first end in a lateral direction of the upper body, the at least one first mating connector of the upper is located at the first end of the upper body, and the upper includes at least one second mating connector located at the second end of the upper body, the at least one second mating connector of the upper being configured to be detachably attached to at least one second mating connector of the sole.
 13. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the at least one upper is a single upper, and the upper body of the single upper includes a strap that is detachably attached to the sole.
 14. The footwear of claim 1, wherein the at least one upper includes a plurality of uppers, and the upper bodies of the uppers respectively include a plurality of straps that are each detachably attached to the sole.
 15. The footwear of claim 14, wherein two of the straps cross each other in a plan view when the uppers are attached to the sole.
 16. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising a cover covering one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole when another one of the at least one first mating connector of the sole is attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of one of the at least one upper.
 17. A kit comprising: at least one sole comprising: a sole body; and at least one first mating connector located on the sole body; a plurality of first uppers that each comprises: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body, each of the at least one first mating connector of the first upper body being configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole, a plurality of second uppers that each comprises: an upper body; and at least one first mating connector located on the upper body, each of the at least one first mating connector of the first upper body being configured to be detachably attached to one of the at least one first mating connector of the at least one sole, wherein each of the first uppers differs from each of the second uppers.
 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein each of the first uppers differs in shape, thickness, and/or attachment configuration from each of the second uppers.
 19. A footwear sole for attachment to a footwear upper comprising: a sole body, a first side edge and a second side edge, at least one mating connector provided on a portion of at least one of the first and second side edges, wherein the portion on which the at least one mating connector is provided is recessed relative to its respective side edge so that a footwear upper attached to the footwear sole using the at least one mating connector is substantially flush with the side edge of footwear sole at a location of the at least one least one mating connector.
 20. The footwear sole of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of spaced-apart mating connectors on each of the first and second side edges. 